The big weekend finally came on 5th and 6th July - Allez Glossop and Le Tour de France! Saturday morning began with rain but quickly cleared to turn into a lovely day. Weeks of planning swung into action. Paul Spencer and Theo Mclauchlan from Northern had arranged for extra staff including many of their colleagues to man both Glossop and Hadfield stations from early morning to early evening. FOGS were offering a Welcome Table with some stunning posters created by Paul Marsh giving details of access to both the Longdendale Valley and Manor Park. Everyone looked cheery and bright in their Northern yellow "Taking you to the Tour" Tshirts! With barriers in place to ensure swift passage inside and outside the station passengers soon began to arrive and questions were many all day! Northern's free bang bangs for the children were very well received! The spirit of Northern at its best was evident again! Special thanks to John LeGrove, John Kimpton, Penny, Bunty, Andrea and Anthony from FOGS for hours of work at the Welcome Table and with SUNDAY CLEANING!On the Sunday the day of Le Grand Depart Stage Two from York there was a sense of excitement in the air! Again Northern Managers were out and about at Hadfield and Glossop to ensure people got on the right trains and made the bus connections at Hadfield. Neil set off in his yellow Tshirt at 8.30 for Woodhead via the Longdendale trail where he joined an army of local folk heading in the same direction. It took him 2 and a half hours to reach Woodhead to find his viewing spot. Hundreds were gathering at the Holme Moss/Woodhead road junction in anticipation of an unusual viewing spot. Thousands of people eventually lined the route all with good humour! The weather was lovely despite a forecast of showers. Everyone was hoping that people watching on television would see our lovely Derbyshire Valleys at their best! Neil created a little oasis for Northern roadside by giving out Northern freebies which were very well received! The parade of sponsors passed by at around 1.30 pm with an array of French and English vehicles. The fun had begun! At 3.15 the first of 8 helicopters appeared to huge cheers and we knew the bikes were on their way! One breakaway leader Kadri, France shot by to huge cheers and sirens followed by packs of riders over the next ten minutes. Just when we thought it was over 3 more appeared to cheers of Keep Going! Sheffield that way! Then the long trek home begun and thousands hit the trail and roads. With thousands of cyclists the effect was of colourful waterfalls on the move! On the trail, in a very kind gesture, Derbyshire Fire Service and The Salvation Army gave out free sandwiches and water! Derbyshire Fire Service had also assisted in the putting up of the bunting around Glossop making it so very cheery and attractive! Neil called by the station at 18.00 to find all had gone well - a happy team of Northern managers were sharing stories. They were very appreciative of the help FOGS had given and the hospitality of the newly opened Twig cafe at the station. David Jones, from the Glossop Chronicle, had taken a team photo in the afternoon. Apart from the disappointment of ITV cutting to adverts downhill from Holme Moss (Big groans from the crowd in Manor Park!) the day was judged a big success at the Stations, in Manor Park and in the Valley! FOGS would like to thank Paul and Theo for all their help, planning and support and their Northern colleagues too. We would also like to thank Sarah Porru, Economic and Regeneration Officer at High Peak Borough Council, for her inspired vision of transforming Glossop into Allez Glossop for Le Tour and the fantastic community spirit which was engendered. Merci beaucoup for a very special Tour de France weekend in Glossop!